Posted by Bud on September 03, 2009 at 11:01:42:
Chicago's smooth jazz "L" was affected by the Mt. Wilson fire.
WLFM-LP (for "L FM") at Channel 6-TV audio 87.7 lost its feed from L.A.-based Broadcast Architecture yesterday around 7am, and it wasn't restored until early afternoon. Also Missing In Action during that period - and for the same reason, apparently - was BA's own Smooth Jazz Network online feed. "L" manager Pat Kelley has nurtured the ratings to a respectable 1.0-share (age 6+ AQH share) in the July Arbitron PPMs. Who would've thought a forest fire 2,000 miles away would temporarily interfere with that? The smooth jazz scene continues to seek new outlets since the demise of the format on Clear Channel's pioneering WNUA (95.5) in Chicago. Very soon after 'NUA went Spanish hits, its former sales manager Kelley put a deal together for an over-the-air signal at 87.7. While Kurt Hanson over at AccuRadio added a Chicago Jazz stream, with assistance from ex-WNUA programmer Rick O'Dell. And Clear Channel's still offering a smooth jazz service on the HD-2 channel of 95.5 which is now Spanish hits "Mega." The smooth jazz format's always had strong workplace listening - making it a nice match for Internet radio.